Keith Wyness, the former chief of Everton, expressed doubts about Red Bull’s ability to rescue Leeds United from potential Profitability and Sustainability Rule (PSR) violations. In a recent interview on the Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the seasoned football executive emphasized that despite Red Bull’s new investment in the club, Leeds will likely still need to offload first-team players this summer.

Leeds recently announced that Red Bull had acquired a minority ownership stake in the club, signaling an injection of additional capital. However, the financial challenges faced by Leeds remain significant, with reported losses of £33.7 million in the latest accounting period and a cumulative deficit of £34 million over the previous year.

In compliance with PSR regulations, Leeds are permitted to incur a maximum loss of £61 million over a three-year period ending in the 2024-25 season. Any breach of this threshold could lead to sanctions such as fines and points deductions, as seen with Everton and Nottingham Forest in the current season.

Wyness highlighted uncertainties surrounding the Red Bull deal, raising questions about the extent of financial resources flowing into the club. He suggested that while the partnership may involve equity, shirt sponsorship, and other agreements, the impact on Leeds’ bottom line remains uncertain. Given the substantial debts owed to other clubs and the tight financial situation, Wyness indicated that player sales might be necessary to address the PSR issue.

In Wyness’ view, the Red Bull investment alone may not be sufficient to alleviate Leeds’ financial pressures, characterizing the challenges as more systemic in nature.